Italy puts 25 major cities on top heat alert

Italy will place 25 of its 27 major cities under the highest heat alert from Monday as a fresh heatwave grips the country, the health ministry said.

Temperatures were forecast to reach into the high 30s Celsius on Monday. Only Reggio Calabria, at the southern tip of mainland Italy, and Messina, across the strait in Sicily, were not being placed on the highest alert.

Rome, Milan and 17 other cities were already under the highest heat alert on Saturday.

The health ministry said the highest alert level means the weather is likely to harm healthy and active people, not only at-risk groups such as elderly people, very young children and people with chronic illnesses.

The latest heatwave hit western Europe at the start of last week, then affected central Europe and began reaching Italy on Saturday.